cancer and blood diseases research

research to improve care for children with cancer and blood diseases

Sixty years ago, children diagnosed with leukemia had only a slim chance of survival. Today, the survival rate for childhood leukemia is 96-98 percent. Fifty years ago, many people with hemophilia were not expected to live past young adulthood. Today, with good medical care, most can expect to live long, active lives. What accounts for these dramatic improvements? To a large extent, the answer is clinical research.

Clinical research studies, or “trials,” are designed to help scientists evaluate specific treatment plans. These trials are sponsored by different hospitals, companies and government agencies, and made available to patients who fit certain criteria. At Dayton Children’s, we strongly encourage families to consider participating in clinical research for childhood cancers and blood disorders. We know that the therapies children receive through these studies may benefit them today—and countless children in years to come.

our cancer research partners

Dayton Children’s offers more than 50 clinical research studies for children with cancer at any given time. These are offered in partnership with other institutions, including those listed below.

Children’s Oncology Group

Dayton Children’s is part of the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), the world's largest organization devoted exclusively to pediatric cancer research. Our partnership with COG allows Dayton Children’s to offer our patients the same research trials that are available at large academic medical centers. These types of trials evaluate the effectiveness and safety of therapies that have been previously tested. More than 250 hospitals worldwide participate in COG studies. Learn more

Advanced Cancer Therapies Network

Phase I and II research studies test new drugs and typically are offered to patients whose cancer has returned or is in an advanced stage. Children from the Dayton region have rapid access to all Phase I and II clinical cancer trials at the Cincinnati Children’s Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, thanks to our participation in the Advanced Cancer Therapies Network. Through this network, eligible patients start their clinical trial in Cincinnati. Once they reach the maintenance phase, they can receive their care close to home at Dayton Children’s. This arrangement reduces treatment delays and provides additional avenues for treatment.

To learn more about cancer research at Dayton Children’s, please call Nancy Bangert, RN, BSN, CRRP, clinical research coordinator, at 937-641-5314.

hemophilia research

The Dayton Children’s Hemostasis and Thrombosis Center partners with pharmaceutical companies, The National Hemophilia Foundation and other organizations to conduct clinical research studies designed to better understand hemophilia and develop more effective therapies for children.

One of our current studies is evaluating the use of a hemophilia drug in preventing and treating bleeds in previously untreated patients. Another is looking at a drug that may allow patients to be infused less often. A third is investigating the possibility of giving factor replacement therapy subcutaneously (under the skin) rather than intravenously (through a catheter in the vein). One of our patients was the first in the United States to participate in this innovative Phase 1 study.

Dayton Children’s also participates in two research-based campaigns: Community Counts and My Life Our Future.

Community Counts is a public monitoring program funded by the Centers for Disease Control’s Division of Blood Disorders. The aim of this study is to gather and share information about common health issues, medical complications and other specific challenges that affect people with bleeding disorders. Researchers use the data to further scientific discovery.

My Life, Our Future is a national initiative whose goal is to genotype as many people with hemophilia as possible in the United States. The organization offers a free genotyping test to help patients understand the genetic cause of their condition. The organization uses test results to aid in research and future treatment development.

To learn more about any of these research efforts, please contact Sandy Hibner, MSN, RN, hematology research coordinator, at hibners@childrensdayton.org